"Hug the golden thigh" refers to someone clinging to a powerful or influential figure to gain benefits, protection, or status—usually because that person is rich, well-connected, or in a strong position.
"Thigh" (大腿) symbolizes strength/support (like how legs support the body).
"Golden" implies wealth, nobility, or extreme value.
There's no direct one-to-one idiom in English, but similar phrases include:
"Latch onto someone influential"
"Ride someone's coattails"
"Curry favor with the powerful"
"Suck up to the big shots" (less polite)
"Back the winning horse" (strategic alignment)